By Dr. J. Halbrecht, MD, Othopaedic Surgeon, San Francisco, USA

Skiing
The most common injuries in downhill skiing are to the knee, shoulder and thumb. Because of the long twisting lever arm of the ski, tears of the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament are the most common knee injuries. Impact from moguls or jumps can cause chipping of the surface of the knee (articular cartilage). Shoulder injuries occur with tumbling falls, causing either dislocations or rotator cuff tears. If the pole gets caught between the thumb and forefinger, a tear of the ulna collateral ligament of the thumb may occur. Ski Injuries may be prevented by proper pre season conditioning and proper falling technique.